HAPPY NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2021

Tun Fatimah Hashim Women’s Leadership Centre (TFHWLC), UKM in collaboration with National Council of Women’s Organisations (NCWO) Malaysia organized a webinar to celebrate 59^th National Women’s Day themed “Women Fight Against COVID-19” through virtual platform. The event began with the Women Fight Against COVID-19 Webinar launched by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) UKM, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Abdul Wahab Mohammad witnessed by Prof. Emerita Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin, President of NCWO; Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Othman A. Karim, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs) UKM and Prof. Dr. Dayang Anita Abdul Aziz, Director of PKWTFH. This webinar features panels of experts in their respective fields such as Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Public Health Adviser to the Prime Minister; Datuk Dr. Hafsah Hashim, Bank Islam SME Advisor; Prof. Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, UKM Senior Public Health Consultant and Prof. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin, UKM Senior Criminologist Consultant. The discussions were very relevant in raising awareness to the public about the challenges faced by women in Malaysia in combating the COVID-19 pandemic especially about impact on the health concerns of women and children; its impact on businesses and economies related to women; the increase of cybercrime affecting women and children during the pandemic; and the roles women can play in executing the National Public Health Strategy towards managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The celebration continued with a virtual launch of the 59th National Women’s Day. The virtual launch also saw a recorded speech delivered by the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Binti Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, who spoke about the need for Malaysian women to become more empowered in light of the pandemic. Raja Permaisuri Agong expressed her gratitude for the hard work shown by women workers, especially frontline workers in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. She also hoped that income problems, physical and mental health problems, security and strengthening unity among women should be given attention.